H.A.L.T.E.R. marks 25th anniversary with dedication of new covered arena

Saturday

Feb 23, 2013 at 5:39 PM

Several voices cracked with emotion as H.A.L.T.E.R. leaders and community sponsors gathered Saturday to dedicate a covered arena that was six years in the making.

By FELICIA KITZMILLERfelicia.kitzmiller@shj.com

Several voices cracked with emotion as H.A.L.T.E.R. leaders and community sponsors gathered Saturday to dedicate a covered arena that was six years in the making.When the equine therapy program H.A.L.T.E.R. (Handicapped Athletes Learning To Enjoy Riding) moved to a 23-acre parcel on the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind's campus in 2006, it was a time of celebration and big dreams for the group, said Fern Powell, president of the board of trustees. Plans were drawn up for an indoor arena with attached stalls, offices and classroom space.Then the economy began to crumble, and the project was postponed. As the program grew from having classes two days a week to six, handling 85 riders weekly and more than 250 annually, the need for facility improvements was pressing. Plans were scaled back to a more manageable arena, and on Saturday afternoon, H.A.L.T.E.R. celebrated the successful construction of a debt-free, open-sided, covered arena on the group's 25th anniversary, Powell said.“Now our horses and riders won't be enduring blazing sun, cold rain and hazardous weather,” she said.Many community donations funded the arena. Large sponsors included the Mary Black Foundation, Spartanburg Regional Foundation and the Callie and John Rainey Foundation.Mike Hollifield, executive director of H.A.L.T.E.R., said the covered arena will enhance the consistency of the equine therapy program and increase the benefit to participants. Horseback riding is proven to increase dexterity, strength and balance in those struggling with disabilities, H.A.L.T.E.R. leaders said. It is also said to increase self-confidence and personal outlook.“They learn things about horses, but they learn more about themselves,” Hollifield said. “They come out here and they wear those big old smiles every time.”Jamie Hodge, representing the Spartanburg Regional Foundation, said that, like many groups, the organization gets more grant requests than it can fund every year. He said the decision was made to invest in the arena because of its “long-range, far-reaching impact for the health of Spartanburg County.”Several people at Saturday's dedication ceremony credited Hollifield's leadership and perseverance for the construction of the arena, despite the setbacks. The arena was named for Hollifield in light of his dedication.“He has never let up on this vision,” said Molly Talbot-Metz, interim president of the Mary Black Foundation.Saturday was a celebration of overcoming obstacles to reach success, but Powell and Hollifield said they aren't resting on their laurels. Phases two and three for the arena project are already being considered to add on some of the features that were cut from phase one for cost feasibility. “I truly hope we can soon build that classroom space, stalls and indoor bathroom with hot water,” Powell said. Information for donating to H.A.L.T.E.R. is on the group's website at www.handicappedathletes.org. The group is also always looking for volunteers, Powell said. Providing equine therapy is labor intensive and requires a lot of patient people, but it's worth it to see the smiles of the participants, she said.“When you're helping people, you realize your problems are nothing. We're here because of volunteers,” she said.

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